Hot air furnace and controls therefor



April 3. 1940- G. H.- LIPPINCOTT ET AL 1 9J83 HdT AIR FURNACE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR,

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fil ed Nov. 16, 1958 fairliri INVENTORL ATTORNEY.

April 19404 4G. H. LIPPINCOTT ET AL 2,199,183

HOT AIR FURNACE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed Nov. 16, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

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April 4 G. H. LIPPINCOTT ET AL 2,199, 3

- HOT AIR'FURNACE AND CONTROLS THEREFOR Filed Nov. 16, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet a HIHIH' Zia l ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES no'rsmr'onmcn ill; L

m con-moms George H. Lippineott, New York, and Edward H.

llnppert, Brooklyn, N. Y

Application November 16, 1938, Serial No. 240,858

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel type of hot air furnace, more particularly designed for household heating, and in which the flow of both the hot gases and the air heated thereby normally pass to the dwelling rooms, are automatically controlled so that in" the summer months substantially all of the heat units may, as by forced circulation, and in continuous circulation from and back to the furnace, be absorbed by the coils of a water heater, and in the winter months the gases may be automatically controlled withdraw therefrom, under automatic control, a part sumcientto either continuously maintain. a given quantity of water in a storage tank under a predetermined temper ature, or to effect instantaneous" heating of water as it is drawn through a coil in its passage to the point or points of use of the water. In the winter months this is accomplished without disturbing the normal heating and flow of air for the heating of the dwelling rooms, whereas in the summer the stated results are obtained with the passage of heated air shut off between the furnace and the dwelling rooms.

'The above objects and further objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings,

in which Figure 1 is a view ment of the invention, certain parts of the furnace being broken away, as by vertical crosssection;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 3 is a view in sectional elevation, the furnace being fragmentarily shown, of a further modification;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings it will.

be seen that the furnace therein illustrated comprisesabase l,amainbodymember 2, anda head 3. I have diagrammatically indicated at 6 an oil burner. The burning gases rise upwardly as indicated by the arrows and in their passage transmit heat to thewalls of the main body member and head, this heat being absorbed by the air surrounding these members, the thus heated air rising through an insulated chamber formed by the wall I, 41:, the latter being a sheath which encloses the entire furnace. The hot air will be drawn out from the heating chamber via suitable ducts, as for example, the outlet at 5, which will communicate with the hot air pipe or pipes leading to the rooms to be heated.

in elevation of an embodi- Below the outlet duct or ducts 5 and supported by the walls of the hot air chamber surroundin the furnace body, are heavily insulated shutters, one of which is shown at I, each shutter will be pivoted at its ends, as shown at-lr, and the shut- 5 ters will be so arranged that they may be rotated vertically, as shown in Figure l, for thefree passage of the heated air to the outlet duct or ducts 5, and may be rotated horizontally so that their side edges will abut and effectively close the air 1 heating chamber to prevent the passage of hot air to the duct or ducts 5.

For the purpose of operating these shutters there is diagrammatically shown at 8 an electric motor operatively connected to a vertical shaft 15 I, which at its lower end is operatively connected to a horizontal shaft ID, the latter will be operatively connected to the-shutter I, as by lever and link connection, the specific shutter operating means forming no part of the present in- 2 vention. However, a simple means for operating the shutters may comprise a lever arm fixed to shaft Iii, a horizontally moving rod pivotally connected to the lever rod, and links connecting the rod with each shutter.

It will be understood that the furnace head 3' will connect with the "usual draft flue leading to a draft stack or chimney.

Preferably within the walls which define the exterior of the air heating chamber, so as to re- 30 ceive heat by convection from the hot air, is a casing ii which at its base communicates with a flue l2, preferably disposed below the longitudinal center of the furnace body 2. The top of easing ll communicates with a flue i2, leading to 35 the furnace head 3.

v The casing is adapted to enclose a hot water heating coil I 4, receiving cold water via pipe ii,

and discharging hot water through pipe Iii, either storage tank II.

The passage of hot gases to chamber Ii is controlled by rotatableclosure I! in flue l2, closure being carried by operating shaft l9, also flue l3 may be closed by a closure disk 20, on a shaft 2|, each shaft carries at-its end a worm wheel 22 in mesh with a worm 23, on an operating shaft 24, having operative connections with a motor 25.

When a hot water storage tank is employed, motor 25 may be in circuit via wire 26, 21, with an aquastat 28, communicating with the interior of the storage tank. when instantaneous hot water heating is provided for the aquastat may 'be disposed withinarelativeiysmallwater cascuit to the reversible motor 25 established through ing communicating at its ends with pipe l3, and an outlet pipe to the place of use of the hot water.

At 29 I have diagrammatically shown a room thermostat in circuit with motor 3 via wires 30, 3|, and in circuit with the oil burner 3 via wires 32, 33. The aquastat also is in circuit with the oil burner 6 via wires 34, .35.

Within flue l2 may be blown airunder pressure from a fan 36, driven by a motor 31 in circuitwith wires 34, 35 via branch wires 31, 38. The fan shaft extends through casing wall 41: and is operatively connected with the water pump 39, with which the cold water pipe communicates.

In the operation of the furnace during the summer months, or when no heat is required in the dwelling, thermostat 29 will close the circuit through wires 30, 30:0, thereby closing the shutters I, and the thermostatic contacts via wires 32, 33 will lie in open position, the motor 3 therefor is a reversible motor, having 3 wiring leads, one being a ground. When the aquastat 23 calls for heat, the circuit through wires 33, 34 leading to the oil burner, is closed, and the circuit through the motor25 also is closed. The oil burner will thus be thrown into operation and the flue closure disks l3 and 23 will be open. Simultaneously with this action, the circuit through motor 3'! is closed so that blower 33 and water pump 39 will jointly act, the pump rapidly circulating water through the heating coil l4 and the blower rapidly circulating the hot gases over the surfaces of the heating coil and back into the furnace, part of the gases then being drawn down for recirculation. Carbon products of combustion and smoke may pass out of the stack as customary, but the stack damper may be almost closed. The stack and damper are not shown since they are customary and require no illustration.

When the aquastat opens the circuits at the time the hot water reaches a predetermined hot temperature within tank II, or within a small.

mixing tank, and the arrangement is for instantaneous" hot water and the storage tank is eliminated, the circuit to the oil burner, blower 33. and water pump 33 will be open, and a cirwires 23, 23x, causing reversal of the motor to close the closure disks l3 and 23.

In the construction of Figure 2, the furnace has substantially the same form as that shown in Figure 1. The heating chamber H2: is located exteriorly of the casing 43 and likewise, the blower 33:2. Casing H is connected at its base with inlet flue I21: and at its top with the flue |3:c. The hot water passes from the heating coil H to a mixing chamber 43. This may be so designed that should the temperature of the hot water he in excess it may be tempered by automatic opening of the valve to permit the inflow of cold waterthrough pipe 4|. The hot water passes to the point of use via pipe 42. The aquastat controls are the same as shown in Figure 1 and bear the same numerals. The structure shown in Figure 3 is similar to that of Figure 2 but is designed to insure a cycle of the heated gases of combustion from the furnace through the coil chamber, back into the furnace where the gases pick up additional heat and return to the coil chambers. To such end the bottom flue 43 for the coil chamber |4 communicates with an upturned pipe 43:: within the furnace, and the return flue 44 leading from the top of the coil chamber may be provided with a downturned end 440:, within the furnace near the top thereof. The flue controlling closure disks 45, 43 are carried by a vertical shaft 41, operated by the reversible motor 43, from the aquastat 28, through the instrumentality of the wires 34, 35, and 26x.

In each of the constructions forming Figures 2 and 3, when the aquastat calls for heat, circuit will be established through wires 34 and 35 and motor 43 will be operated to rotate closure disk shaft and move the closure disks to open position. At the same time the circuit will be closed through blower 36.1: and the oil burner, when an oil burner is used. When the aquastat opens the circuit'through wires 34 and 35, the circuit will be established through positive wires 23m, and that one of the two wires 34, 35 which serves as a ground, so that the motor 43 will be reversed and the closure disks moved to closed position.

In the structure of Figure 4 the casing Hz: for the heating coil 4 communicates with only a single flue 43 connected with the interior of the furnace. The outward flue for the coil casing, shown at 53, rises to a branch flue 5|, leading to the stack 52. In Figure 4 outgoing hot air flues are shown at 53. The closure disk or damper in flue 43 is shown at 54 on a vertical shaft 55 at the lower end of which is a gear 53 in mesh with the gear 51 or horizontal shaft 53. The latter shaft carries a worm gear 53, in mesh with a worm, on a vertical shaft 3|. The closure disk or damper forflue 53 is shown at 32 on a shaft 33 carrying a worm gear 34 in mesh with a worm 33 on shaft 3|. At its upper end shaft 3| is in operative connection with the reversing motor 25, controlled by aquastat 23, in the same manner as described with relation to the structures of Figures 2 and 3.

In all the formsof our furnace the construction is such that the firing unit may be effectively operated for hot water supply automatically during the summer months without circulating hot air into the room ducts and the room. The room thermostat is controlled by the room temperature desired and in turn controls the oil burner motor and the shutters for the furnace, as heat is needed or is not required, in the room.

Theroom thermostat will not function during the summer months or at any time when the room temperature is upwards of 70 through the influence of warm air exterior the rooms.

In some cases it may be desirable to employ a damper or dampers 33 for the flues 53 and a motor 33 directly connected to the dampers, or a plurality of motors,'as the case may be. these motors being connected to the room thermostat 33 and being reinforcing motors so as to lead to the room thermostat through the wires 33, 33.1: and 3| as shown in Figure 4.

When the device is used for domestic hot water heating, the opening of a faucet may be utilized to automatically throw on the burner, the motor 3, the blower 33:: and also operate the dampers 54 and 32. To this end the pressure valve 31 may be placed at the cold water end of coil l4. as shown in Figure 4, the flow of water into coil |4 causing thepressurestat to close the circuit to the oil burner motor and blower via wires 34, 35. In such case the dampers 54 and 32 need not be operated .by the motor 23 which can be eliminated and the dampers can be balanced dampers of a type commonly known which move to closed position in the absence of the air draft impelled by the blower 33:. If positive actuation of the dampers 34, 32, is desired however, the pressurestat may be a three-contact device. the contacts being connected to the wires 26, I61: and 21 in such manner that when water is drawn into coil It the reinforcing motor 25 will rotate to open the dampers and upon shutting off of the water inflow in coil H the reinforcing motor will operate to close the said dampers.

In Figure 3 of. the drawings, the upturned end for the flue l3 and the downturnedend for the flue ll, both ends being located within the furnace body 2, maybe connected by a perforated cylinder 10. In the various figures the intake for the blower is shown as a tubular conduit II. It will be understood that the blower may be disposed directly within one of the flues leading to the coil-receiving casing and that the direction of the hot gases circulated through the casing may-be determined as desired. In other words, the gases may lead from the top of the furnace body to the casing, thence downwardly. and back into the furnace body at a lower point. As heretofore stated, it is not essential that the flue dampers be positively actuated since they may be balanced so as to be normally closed, and thrown open by the force of movement of the heated gases impelled by the blower.

means intermediate the air heating chamber and the hot air outlet duct for opening and shutting of! communication between them, a casing adapted to receive a hot water coil, intake and discharge flues communicating with the casing and with the furnace body for the passage of hot gases, damper means controlling said'flues, a motor driven blower adapted to force the hot gases through said flues and casing, a water heating coil in said casing, a water-receiving element in communication with said coil, an electric circuit, and an electric switch in said circuit in communication with said water-receiving element and adapted to be actuated by a predeter- .mined condition of the water in said water-receiving element, the motor driven blower being in said circuit.

2. In combination with a hot air furnace including a furnace body having a stack outlet for ,carrying off products of combustion" from the furnace body, an air heating chamber exterior to the body and having an outlet ductfor passing hot air to the areas to be heated, of shutter meansintermediate the air heating chamber and the hot air outlet duct for opening and shutting off communication between them, electrical means adapted to actuate the shutter means including an electric circuit and a room thermostat, a casing adapted to receive a hot water coil, a flue leading from the interior of the furnace substantially below said stack outlet and communicating with said casing, a discharge flue for carrying gases out of said casing, closure means for the first named flue, a water heating coil in a said casing, a hot water-receiving element in communication with the coil, electrical means carrying of! products of combustion from the furnace body, an air heating chamber exterior to the body and having an outlet duct for passing hot air to the areas to be heated, of shutter 'means intermediate the air heating chamber and the hot air outlet duct for opening and shutting off communication between them, a casing adapt-- ed to receive a hot water coil, a flue leading from the interior of the furnace body and communieating with the lower end of said casing, a flue leading from the interior of the furnace substantially below said stack outlet and communicating with the top of the casing, and means for impelling a circuitous passage of hot gases from the furnace body through the casing and back into the furnace body for reheating and comprising'a blower having communication with one of said casing-connected flues, a water-receiving element in communication with the coil, a switch associated with said water-receiving element and adapted to be actuated when said water reaches a predetermined condition, an electric circuit including said switch and a motor connected to said blower and in said electric circuit.

4. A hot air furnace constructed in accordance with claim 3, in combination with an automatic burner for the furnace, electrical control means for said burner in the electrical circuit, a second electrical circuit and a room thermostat in said circuit, said second circuit being connected to said burner electrical control means, the said second circuit also being connected to the shutter means intermediate the air heating chamber and the hot air outlet duct, said shutter means including a motor-driven actuator.

5.A hot air furnace constructed in accordance with claim 3, in combination with an automatic burner for the furnace, and electrical control means for said burner in the electrical circuit for the blower. I

6. In combination with a hot air furnace including a furnace body having a stack outlet for carrying ofl products of combustion from the furnace body, an air heating chamber exterior to the body and having an outlet duct for passing hot air to the areas to be heated, of shutter means intermediate the air heating chamber and the hot air outlet duct for opening and shutting of! communication between them, a casing adapted to receive'a hot water coil, intake and discharge flues communicating with the casing and with the furnace body for the passage of hot gases, a hot water-receiving tank communicating with said coil, and means for recirculating hot gases through said casing, including an electric circuit, an aquastat in said tank, a blower in connection with one of said flues, a motor for driving said blower, and an electric circuit connected to the motor and to the aquastat.

'I. In combination with a hot air furnace including a furnace body having a stack outlet for carrying ofl products of combustion from the furnace body, an air heating chamber exterior to the body and having an outlet duct for passing hot air to the areas to be heated, of shutter means intermediate the air heating chamber and 4- moans charge flues communicating with the casing and with the furnace body for the circulation of hot gases, a hot water tank communicating with said coil, and means for simultaneously recirculating hot gases through said casing and water through the coil and said tank, comprising a cool water conduit leading from the tank to the inlet end of the coil, a hot water conduit leading from the outlet end of the coil to the tank. a motor-driven blower connected to one of said flues, an aquastat in the tank, a motor-driven pump in one of said water conduits, and an-electric circuit for the driving of the blower and water pump, said circuit being connected to and controlled by the aquastat.

8. In combination with a hot air furnace including a furnace body having a stack outlet for carrying oi! products of combustion from the furnace body, an air heating chamber exterior to the body and having an outlet duct for passing hot air to the areas to be heated, a casing adapted to receive a hot water coil, intake and discharge flues communicating with the casing and with the furnace body for the passage or hot gases, a

motor driven blower adapted to force the hot gases through said flues and casing, a water heating coil in said casing, a water-receiving element in communication with said coil, an electric circuit, and'an electric switch in said circuit in communication with said water-receiving element and adapted to be actuated by a predetermined condition of the water in said water-receiving element, the motor driven blower being controlled by the actuation of said switch.

GEORGE H. HPPINCO'I'I. EDWARD H. RUPPERT. 

